Though the heatwave wreaking havoc in southern Europe continues to cause huge disruption, a different type of environmental crisis has arisen on Gran Canaria.
Some 2,000 people have been evacuated on Gran Canaria, after a 37-year-old forestry worker allegedly started a forest fire on the island, enraged at his impending dismissal.
At least 3,500 hectares of the island have been destroyed by the flames, after the man took revenge on bosses who'd confirmed that his contract would not be renewed in September, report Spanish media outlets.
As over 200 fire fighters struggled to tackle the blaze, one evacuee told EuroNews.com of the chaotic conditions.
"Police with loudhailers told everyone to leave their homes and go down to the beach. Several houses have been burnt down including the Mayor's", he said.
Another added: "We couldn't breathe properly, there was smoke everywhere, on the terrace and we left the house straightaway."
Fires have also broken out on Tenerife and in central and southern Portugal, though it is thought that the recent heatwave sweeping across southern Europe is to blame for these infernos.
